Financial Aid Policies

General Processing Policy

Financial aid applications at Auburn University at Montgomery are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis after receipt of all required forms. Students must complete the FAFSA, submit all required and requested documentation, meet the minimum conditions of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, and meet all other eligibility requirements to be considered for a financial aid award at AUM.

Financial Aid Packaging Policy

Financial aid funds are available to assist students in reaching their educational goals. Students are typically awarded on a first-come, first-served basis depending upon the receipt date of their FAFSA results, the date at which all outstanding requirements are satisfied, and the availability of funds. Students who meet the March 1 priority date are given priority consideration during the initial awarding period for limited funding programs such as the Federal Work-Study, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Federal Perkins Loan programs. Award packages are created based on expected full-time enrolment and are typically awarded for the fall and spring semesters in the initial package. Grants will disburse on a prorated basis based on actual enrolment.

Financial Aid Policy Regarding Repeat Coursework

Effective July 1, 2011, per federal regulations (34 CFR Section 668.2), repeated coursework that falls under the following conditions cannot be included in a student's enrollment status for Title IV Federal Aid eligibility, including the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Loans:

Repeating a previously passed course more than once. A course is considered passed if the student receives a grade of D or better.

Repeating a previously passed course due to failing other coursework.

Repeating a previously passed course for the sole purpose of gaining eligibility for Title IV aid.

Federal Title IV aid will be recalculated based on the student's adjusted enrollment status. This recalculation will be applied regardless of whether a student received aid for previous course enrollments.

Example 1:

A student is repeating a previously passed, three credit hour course for the second time. The student is enrolled in a total of twelve credit hours for the term. Per federal regulations, the repeated course must be excluded from the student's Title IV enrollment status. Only nine of the student's 12 hours can be used to calculate his/her Title IV aid eligibility. The student's Federal Pell Grant will be reduced to reflect three quarter time instead of full-time enrollment.

Example 2:

A student repeats a previously passed course. The student receives an F on the second attempt. The student attempts the course for the third time. The third course attempt will not be counted in total enrollment hours for Title IV aid purposes.

Example 3:

A student repeats a previously failed course. The student fails the course on the second attempt. The student attempts the course for the third time. The third course attempt will count in the total enrollment hours for Title IV aid purposes.

Repeated courses will be counted as hours attempted but not earned when calculating percentage of hours completed, as it relates to the Quantitative Measure of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Repeated courses will also count toward hours attempted when calculating the Reasonable Length of Time Measure of the SAP Policy.

Students who have been awarded federal financial aid by Auburn Montgomery, and who will have excess funds remaining after all tuition, fees, meals, and housing charges have been paid, may charge their books and supplies in the AUM Bookstore. Students may not charge an amount greater than the excess funds remaining after charges have been paid. This provision is only available for students wishing to purchase books from the AUM Bookstore. Students may not charge books once all financial aid for the semester has been disbursed and the student’s refund has been generated.

Certification Statement and Authorization to Credit Account

By accepting the financial aid award offered, students certify they have read and understand the terms and conditions outlined on their award acceptance on Webster. Acceptance also gives AUM authorization to credit to the student's account any allowable funds for tuition, fees, and room-and-board charges resulting from enrollment at AUM.

Study Abroad

Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by AUM is eligible to be considered for federal financial assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs. Please contact the AUM Office of Financial Aid for further assistance.

Withdrawals/Drops

Withdrawing from or ceasing to attend all of coursework without completing more than 60 percent of the payment period or term may result in a reduction in financial aid eligibility and require repayment of a portion of the financial aid received. Please refer to the Return to Title IV Funds Policy section for more information.

Withdrawing or dropping one or more courses prior to the Financial Aid Census Date (see below) may result in a reduction or cancellation of financial aid received for the term. Please contact a representative of the Office of Financial Aid prior to withdrawing to determine the potential impact on your financial aid eligibility.

Census Date Policy

The census date is a date in time where enrollment is locked for the purpose of determining financial aid. This becomes the "official enrollment" that is used for determining financial aid eligibility for the semester. The census date occurs on the start date of the 2nd half term session each semester. This Census Date is used for all terms, including the summer session. The start date for the second half term for the semester is available on the Academic Calendar.

Adjusting your enrollment prior to the census date may impact the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive for the semester. In some cases, reducing your enrollment prior to the census date will result in a reduction of the amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive for the semester. In this case, you may be responsible for repaying financial aid that has already been disbursed to your AUM student account. If there is a tuition refund because of dropping credits, the tuition refund will be used to reduce the balance due on your student account.

Official Enrollment Levels | If you are not sure about your enrollment, please consult the chart below: (Note: The chart below applies to all terms, including summer)